GM provides defense with shot in arm

Published 12:01 am, Saturday, July 30, 2011

For some coaches, players and team executives, those who are good and lucky, the fans will always love you. But for many, one day the fans hate you, the next they hate you a little less.

Texans general manager Rick Smith is getting a little less hate than he has in some time.

Texans fans are throwing out a group hug to Smith, who had a nice day (and night) at the office Thursday, reeling in a pair of free agents who were at the top of his wish list.

Under pressure to upgrade a secondary that was among the league's worst a year ago, the sixth-year GM negotiated deals with cornerback Johnathan Joseph and safety Danieal Manning, pulling off a daily double that has been applauded in all circles.

Entering the free-agency period, doubters had many questions about the Texans.

Were they willing to spend the money necessary to improve?

Did they have the room under the salary cap to lure high-quality players?

Could Smith convince big-time players that Houston would be a good fit?

Yes, yes and yes.

"We've managed our cap in a manner that's going to give us a chance to be active in free agency," Smith said before NFL teams were allowed to negotiate with free agents. "We will do whatever it takes to improve the team. Our goal is to win and win now. The pressure is always there to do that.

"We think we have a quality organization, and players around the league recognize that. We're confident in what we do."

The Texans were unable to nab Nnamdi Asomugha, considered the league's top-rated unrestricted free agent. The former Raiders cornerback thought about it, but he didn't want to play here. (After shunning the Jets and Cowboys, he settled on Philadelphia.) Still, the Texans showed a willingness to pay top dollar to improve and were aggressive in doing so. That aggression paid off.

Is Warren next?

Joseph was the consensus second-best cornerback on the market. Most viewed Manning as one of the top five available safeties. Each is entering his prime and ecstatic to call Houston home.

Smith, allowed (or commanded) to open the checkbook by owner Bob McNair, set his sights on targets and made it happen.

NFL champions aren't built through free agency, but shrewd moves separate the good teams from the bad. These type moves often move average teams to the next level.

It has been a long road for the Texans, with many ups and downs, but as was generally accepted a year ago, and the year before that and the year before that, the Texans should enter the season with the best collection of talent in the team's history.

And Smith isn't done.

As much attention as Joseph and Manning will deservedly receive, building depth through the roster is as important as upgrading the starters.

You don't want to be an ankle injury from falling apart.

The Patriots released Ty Warren on Friday. As we have talked about many times, the veteran defensive end from Bryan, who played at Texas A&amp;M, would love to play in Houston.

The Texans have two players slated to start at defensive end in their new 3-4 scheme - Antonio Smith and rookie J.J. Watt - who have never started at those positions.

Warren is the type of veteran pickup that smart teams make. The Texans did re-sign Tim Bulman on Friday, giving the team depth at the position, but Warren is a better 3-4 end than anyone on the roster.

The better the Texans are up front, the better Joseph, Manning, second-year cornerback Kareem Jackson and third-year man Glover Quin, who shifts to safety, will be on the back end.

Holes still to fill

Smith has to figure out what the Texans will do at fullback, as Pro Bowler Vonta Leach wants to be the highest-paid player at the position, and punter because Matt Turk, who signed with Jacksonville, had a poor season. And they lack depth at linebacker.

But for now, it is OK for Texans fans to dream big. This team looks good.

Keep in mind, though, the Texans have yet to take the field, so playoff dreams are just that - dreams.

Smith didn't sign a couple of superstars Thursday - neither Joseph nor Manning has been to a Pro Bowl - but he makes the Texans better.

And for now at least, Smith deserves to know that less hate is a many-splendored thing.